A Long Overdue Apology

The Confession

Over the last forty years, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with brilliant people from all over the world. While things were usually friendly, I rarely made the effort to truly learn about their culture, customs, or celebrations.

Being privileged Americans, we often forced—by circumstance, not by intent—our culture on anyone who wasn’t American. Looking back, I see how much I was missing out on, and how much better our collaboration might have been if I had taken the time to understand them.

And, I now understand what I missed out on, and what how I might have made others uncomfortable instead of welcomed. And for that, I sincerely apologize.

The Shift

It took me far too long to realize that curiosity about others is not just polite—it’s transformative. Now, I ask my teammates about their traditions, their festivals, their ways of seeing the world. They open up. Friction fades. The work flows more easily because we’re building bridges, not just exchanging deliverables. And, there are more smiles and laughter. It is a great thing to feel joy at work.

Why This Matters Now

Today, it’s easier than ever to explore the richness of global culture. Netflix brings stories from every continent, translated for us. Chatbots can explain customs in seconds. YouTube, TikTok, and Meta stream celebrations, languages, and daily life from every corner of the planet.

Before, we can offer the excuse that we did not know how to do better. We have no longer have that excuse. Each of us has the means now explore outside our own cultural bubbles.

A Call to Action

If you work with someone from another culture, ask them about it—genuinely, without agenda. Share something of yours in return. Do it not because it’s “good for business,” but because it’s good for you. Every conversation becomes a small act of diplomacy, a quiet bridge between worlds.

It’s never too late to start. I’m living proof.